A PROSPEROUS RULER THE FRIEND AND FATHER OF HIS PEOPLE

On one occasion the Emperor Hsuan of Chi visited Mencius in the Snow Palace, and asked him, “Do the people find enjoyment in music and in the chase?” “Certainly,” answered Mencius; “it is when ruler and people share each other’s joys and sorrows that the sovereign attains to his highest dignity.  Moreover, a ruler, when moving amongst his people ought to copy the ancient sovereigns.  In the good old days, when the ruler made a tour of inspection among his people he was received with great acclamation everywhere, for joy and gladness came in his train.  In the spring he inspected the ploughing and supplied all that was lacking in the way of seed.  In the autumn he examined the reaping and made up for any deficiency in the yield.  It was a common saying during the Hsia dynasty, ‘If the Emperor visiteth not, what will become of us?’ But now, may your majesty permit me to say, matters are very different, for, when in these days a ruler visits his people he is accompanied by a huge army, who with himself and suite have to be maintained by the people visited.  And so it comes to be that the hungry are robbed of their food, and the toilers are wearied with the extra tasks imposed upon them.  If a ruler wishes to have the hearts of his people, and to’ be regarded as their father, he must consider their needs and endeavour to supply them.”

MENCIUS USES STRATAGEM TO BRING HOME TO THE EMPEROR HIS GUILT

Mencius said on one occasion to Hsuan, King of Chi, “Suppose one of thy ministers were to entrust his family during his absence to a subordinate, and that the latter neglected his duty so that the wife and children were exposed to great suffering and danger.  What should that minister do?”

“Dismiss him at once,” was the royal reply.

“But,” continued the philosopher, “suppose that the government of your own kingdom were bad, the people suffering and disunited and disloyal on account of their king’s bad rule.  What then should be done?” The king, looking this way and that, turned the conversation to other themes.

IT MAY BE RIGHT TO KILL A SOVEREIGN

King Hsuan asked Mencius, “Is it true that Thang banished his own sovereign, Kieh [the last king of the Hsia dynasty], and that Wu attacked the tyrant Emperor Kau-hsin and slew him?” “It is true,” said Mencius, “for it is so written in the ‘Shu King.’  But if a sovereign acts as Kieh did he is no longer a sovereign but a robber, and to be dealt with as such.  And if a ruler is, like Kau-hsin, the enemy of his people, he is no longer their ruler, and therefore to be put out of the way, and how better than by death?”

THE GIFTS THAT MAY AND THOSE THAT MAY NOT BE ACCEPTED

Chan Tsin spoke to Mencius as follows: